Tichá Fortress (1)
The Tichá Fortress is found at the highest point upstream of the River Malše (actually already on the River Tichá) and the furthest from Český Krumlov (37 km). You can reach it by road No. 157 heading for Kaplice. In June 2022, a generous renovation opened a large tower with distant views of the Bohemian Forest and Kamenec, the highest peak of the Gratzer Mountains. The tower has, among other artefacts, a functional mediaeval tiled stove and a privy. The preserved palace cellars dating back to the times of the foundation of the fortress around 1280 are unique.
Sokolčí Castle (2)
The ruins of Sokolčí Castle, located 30 km from Český Krumlov on a high rocky promontory above the River Černá, a right-bank tributary of the Malše, are freely accessible. Although only a few remnants of the castle walls remain, the place is definitely worth a visit for its romantic location and particular calming atmosphere. It is also popular with climbers, as several climbing routes are marked in the vertical and high rock wall. Also worth mentioning is the stone dam of the oldest functioning reservoir in South Bohemia, the Soběnov Dam, completed in 1925. You will find the dam just a few hundred metres from the castle.
Louzek Castle (3)
Less than 23 km from Český Krumlov are the remains of Louzek Castle. You can reach it on foot from Kaplice along the blue marked hiking trail (6.8 km) or along the yellow trail from Bujanov (5 km). Alternatively, you can leave your car at the car park on the E55 road behind Skoronice, from where it is only a 15-minute walk to the castle. The castle was built on the left bank of the River Malše around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries and was first mentioned in writing in a letter of Oldřich of Rosenberg in 1421, but already in 1541 it was reported as a ruin. The remains of the square tower and the walls of the adjacent palace have been preserved to the present day.
Pořešín Castle (4)
Pořešín Castle, also on the left bank of the River Malše, north of Kaplice and 19 km southeast of Český Krumlov, is much better preserved. Until about ten years ago the castle was a hopelessly overgrown ruin in the middle of the forest, but thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts and volunteers, it has undergone an incredible transformation into its present form. It also hosts a castle museum with an exhibition of mediaeval weapons and clothing, as well as the discoveries from archaeological excavations found in the castle grounds. The castle was probably founded by Bavarians from Strakonice in the late 13th century; its first written mention dates back to 1312. The last owner was Oldřich of Rosenberg, who had the castle demolished for fear of it falling into the hands of the Hussites.
Velešín Castle (5)
The last castle (downstream on the Malše) and east of Český Krumlov (15.5 km) is Velešín Castle, located above the Římov water reservoir. The best way to reach it is to drive to the village of Sedlce and from there follow the blue trail up to the castle. Not much of it has survived until nowadays, in fact only small parts of the walls and the remains of the fortifications in the ground. Nevertheless, Velešín was founded in the mid-13th century by Přemysl Otakar II and thus belongs among the oldest stone royal castles in the Czech Republic. Note: When visiting the castle, remember that the ruins are located in the protected zone of a drinking water reservoir.